Free-range eggs are to be the only eggs on sale within a few years, after major supermarkets have already begun clearing the shelves of eggs from birds that are reared in cages.

Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and the Co-op have agreed to ban the sale of eggs coming from caged birds, while Marks and Spencer and Waitrose have already taken that step and now only sell free-range eggs.

Asda and Tesco are not at present planning a ban eggs from battery hens, but say that the space given to such eggs is to be restricted.

Battery cages are to be banned in the EU in 2012, but ‘enriched cages’, which are slightly larger, will still be legal in this country, although banned in Germany.

Free-range eggs will be the only on sale therefore within a few years following the action from major supermarkets.

To comment on this article, use the comment box below, or email us at clonews@ipcmedia.com. Read more about the countryside.